Separating materials, segregating materials and contacting materials



Oct; 26, 1937. e. w. RATHJENS 2,097,422 SEPARATING MATERIALS, SSGREGATING- MATERIALS, AND CONTAGTING MATERIALS;

Filed My 6; 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet` l www mv n N R m M TQ K T QS rA INVENTOR BY 57W PTHJE/Y 26, 1937'.. w. RATHJENs '2,097,422

SEPARATING MATERIALS, SEGREGATING MATERIALS, AND CONTACTING MIA' I."I:"RIIALS` F11-ed may e, 1935 a sheets-snaai 2 f7@ ff.

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Ln/ u" $3 n /Q It m im v if INVENTOR Y @W QTHJ'N ATTORNEY www SEPARATING MATERIALS, SEGREGATING MATERIALSf AND CONTACTING MATERIALS V Filed My s. 1935 8 sheets-sheet s llll/lWl//l/l/[llllllIllllllll/lllllll v l v 2/6 2/7 ATTORNEY c. vv'. RATHJENS 2,097,422

SEPARATING MATERIALS, SEGREGATING MATERIALS, AND CONTACTING MATERIALS Filed May 6, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 T/ME.

0500055 0F /7'5 MoMf/m/M m0 EFFECT 0F if Pimm/f P05/77006 0F THREE mer/afs 40E s/-lon//v INVENTOR -W @HTM/EN.

' TATTORNEY Oct. 26, 1937. c. w. MTI-MENS, 2,097,422'

SEPRATING MATERIALS? SEGREGATING MATERIALS, AND yCONTArG'lING MATERIALS Filed nay e. 1955 K 8 sheets-sheet 5 `|NvENToR TTORNEY oct. 26, 193?.

SEPARATING MATERIALS, SEGREGATING MATERIALS; AND CONTAG-'HNGMATERIAYLS Filed Hay 6, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Y lNvENToR 'BY @mgm/fm f/ TroRNEY I Oct. 26, 1937. f el w. RM1-'MENS SEPARATING humanas, sm'nqum MATERIALS,4 Arm coNTAcTING MATERIALS f Filed may e, 1935 a sheets-sheet v www www:

INVENf-lI OR @mar/wm.

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 2 6, 1937 PATENT OFFICE f g;

2,097,422 SEPARATING MATERIALS, sEGaEGATING.

MATERIALS mALs A ND CONTACTING MATE- George w. Rathiens, salt Lelie' city, Utah Application May 6, 1935, serial No; 20,043

In Canada vMay '7, 1934 20 claims. (c1. 209-437) ess which involves passing the materials into and o through a peculiarly activated medium consisting of a confined body of liquid, or a lsubstance having the properties of a liquid which is given rapid motion in a prescribed manner, all as is fully explained hereinafter.

l The present application is a substitute for, and a continuation in part, of one filed by me in the U. lS. Patent Office, June 17, 1933, Serial No.- 676,218..

V Among the -principal objects of theinvention i) are:

First-To separate materials from one another Within a medium consisting of a liquid or a substance having properties of a liquid, such as an emulsion,- a colloid and so on, while at the same time, conserving the medium.

Second- To 'make practical the saving of extremely fine material particles from other material particles. c

Third- To bring about a segregation or sepa.-

ration of materials having diierent physical' characteristics.

Fourth-To provide an efcient washing action wherever material objects are passed through a liquid.

Fifth- To provide the washing action while at the 'same time causing the objects to bel progressively transported through the liquid.

Sixth- To practically keep materials in partial suspension in a medium so as to permit f heavier particles to work down through or into the materials held in suspension.

'Seventh- To facilitate the segregation and removal of foreign substances from objects being washed. l

40 Eighth-To de-water substances of various kinds, but especially substances such as metallurgical pulps, metallurgical slimes, sewage, and thelike.

Ninth-#To remove solids from liquids, includ-y ing the equivalent of filtering and/or desliming.

Tenth- To bring liquids into intimatecontact with solids or vice versa, for the purpose of facilitating chemical reactions by or between them and physical actions upon them.

5o Eleventh-To bring about conditions of sub- Y stantial uniformity of saturation between liquid substances and solid substances or vice versa.

vTwefth..-To perform any one, or any combination of the functions just enumerated, in a sub- 55 stantially automatic and continuous manner.

The novel features of this invention depend ripon the application of one and/or the other of two principles in the manipulation of a liquid or medium for the attainment of useful purposes.

The rst principle is that the liquid or medium must be -reciprocated in up-strokes and downstrokes alternating with one another and repeated at least so -rapidly that the medium falls through a down-stroke faster thando certain of solid particles, introducedinto, dispersed in, and 10 passing through the medium, during the same down-stroke.

The second principle is that the rate of vreciprocation must be at least sol rapid, that the medium'falls through a down-stroke faster than l5 would be its fall through the same down-stroke under the inenee of gravity alone. This is accomplished by withdrawing the support upon which the medium rests, faster than the medium could follow, due to gravity. Therefore, in each 20 down-stroke, there is a tendency to create a vacuum between the bottom surface of the medium and the surface upon which the medium rests. Actually,- of course, the formation of a vacuum does not take place because of the atmospheric 25 or other pressure upon the upper surface of the medium. Due to the descent of the medium, energy is accumulated in every droplet thereof during each down-stroke.

At the reversal of each down-stroke, the move- 30 ment of the medium is arrested, with the result that the accumulated energy manifests itself as a force which tends to dissipate itself through the medium in every direction, but which, if the medium is confined ona1l` sides and the bottom, 35 is normally directed straight up. `,For convenience in discussion, this force is hereinafter called Vf, and various devices for modifying and controlling this force, are givenin detail.

As a provision 'ofthis process, the liquid is con- 40 ned in a container as a segregated, isolated mass, having a free top surface. Its identity remains substantially constant without functional depletion. The requisite motive force for reciprocating the liquid may be applied to the container in 45 'which -the liquid is confined, or in some cases the container may remain stationary 'and the motivating force be applied to a plate or other body in contact with'the liquid withinthe'container. l f

Due to the operative peculiarities of this process the liquid provides an environment which governs the passage through it of substances foreignto the liquid, andat the same time holds some foreign substances in suspension if desiredfor establishing conditions where the forces induced are advantageously employed to cause the movement of the foreign substances through the said environment in predetermined paths. Thus the liquid acts in the capacity of a medium governing the behavior of foreign substances within it, but ordinarily imparts no motion to such substances.

The'forces which are eective in the consideration' of the first principle of this process are gravity and the mechanical result of the force exerted on the container or other moving body. The forces which are edective in the second consideration .are those just mentioned, together with a third forcerepresented by the atmospheric or other pressure on the top surface of the liquid under consideration. The term V1, in reality,

represents the combined effect within the liquid over both the behavior of the liquid and any foreign substances within it results. When. the line of reciprocation is inclined within proper limits the greatest usefulness of this process is realized, as will be explained later on herein. In such cases the paths followed by the foreign substances through the liquid consist-of serrations having substantially vertical portions and inclined portions alternating one with another.

Because the mediumis a relatively static, confined body of liquid which is subjected to repeated' downwardly accelerated impulses with instant reversals, different paths of travel will be imposed upon substances of diiferent physical characteristics contained therein.

The material introduced into and operated upon by the liquid medium is herein variously referred to as material particles, solid particles, or foreign substances. Such terms refer in each instance to material foreign to the medium comprising an intimate mixture of individual units having physical characteristics usually diiering greatly between respective units and capableof disper- V.side wall being omitted, oi' a sluice especially` sion, i. e. separation, in the medium by the action of the forces of this process.

The accompanying drawings illustrate various forms of apparatus suited to the practice of the process.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a plan, in diagrammatic form,

of a sluice or container for handling alluvial or placer gravels and sands in the recovery of gold, platinum, or other substances;

Fig. 2, a diagrammatic elevation thereof, the near side wall of the sluice having been removed to reveal the interior construction;

Fig. 3, a diagrammatic side elevation, the near Fig. 6, an elevation in\diagram, corresponding` to Fig. 5, the near side wall being omitted;

Fig. '7, a fragmentary plan, in diagrammatic form, of a otation apparatus;

Fig. 8, a diagrammatic side elevation corresponding to Fig. '7, the near side wall being omitted; f

Fig. 9, a fragmentary portion of the'side elevation of a container showing another arrangement for conning liquid for washing or similar purposes, the near side wall being omitted;

Fig. 10, a fragmentary portion of the side elevation of a container confining liquids or mediums of different specic gravities, one relatively inelastic medium being superimposed upon another relatively inelastic medium, the near side wall of the container being omitted;

Fig. 11, a fragmentaryv elevation similar to Fig. 9, but showing somewhat different conditions;

Fig. 12, a vertical cross section taken through a vibratory container on the line l2-i2 in Fig. 9, and drawn to an enlarged scale in order to show structural details;

Fig. 13, a vertical section taken on line I 3-I 3 in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14, a cross-section taken on the line Iii-i4 in Fig. 4, drawn to an enlarged scale, and on line lf3-ill in Fig. 15, drawn to the same scale, parts being broken away for clarity.

Fig. l5, a section taken on the line i5-I5 in Fig. 14, parts being broken away for clarity; 4

Fig. 15A, a fragmentary section taken on the line I5A--I5A in Fig. 15, drawn to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 16, across section taken through a container, on the line lli-i6 in Fig. 46, drawn to an enlarged scale, and showing the disposition of certain deiiecting and ,modifying elements;

Fig. 17, a c'ross section showing a container similar to that in Fig. 14, but embodying certain modifications; 1

Fig. 18, a fragmentary portion, in perspective, of a container confining a medium, and illustrating approximately the effect. upon the medium, when lines of force Vr, explained hereinafter, of relatively low intensity, are developed therein;

Fig. 19, a view similar to that in Fig. 18, butillustrating the effect of increasing the intensity of V1;

Fig. 20, a fragmentary vertical section, taken throughs. container having a medium confined therein, and showing the operative effect of certain deecting elements placed therein;

Fig. 21, a view similar to that in Fig. 20, but showing the effect of a different deecting element;

Fig. 22, a diagram indicating a fragmentary portion of a container or sluice, in three different positions of one cycle of vibratory motion, the three positions being the uppermost, the lowermost and the intermediate;

Fig. 23, a diagram showing the assumed positions-of three material particles having diierent physical characteristics, at the point where the container or sluiceis in the uppermost position, that is to say, at the crest o1' a cycle of motion;

Fig. 2 4, a diagram similar to Fig. 23, but showing a change in position of the three material particles due to the downward and backward travel ofthe sluice to the intermediate position;

Fig. 25, another diagram similar to Fig. 23, showing a further change in position of the three material particles when the sluicehas reached the lowermost position shown in Fig. 22; i

Fig. 26, still another diagram similar to Fig. 23. but showing a still further change in the position of the three' particles, due to the'forward and .upward travel of the sluice in again reaching the intermediate position;

Fig. 27, a irlnal diagram showing th'e positions of the same three particles when the slulce has `assuming the group to be located momentarily at the extreme upper end of a stroke, as indicated by the double-pointed arrow. Fig. 30, a diagram showing the particles of Fig.

29 shortly after-.the slulce has commenced its.

, downward travel, as indicated by the doublepointed, down-directed arrow 329;

Fig. 31, the delineation of the unobstructed path traveled through the medium by the particle C in Figures 23 to 27, each serration of the zigzag path representing one cycle of motion extending from the position indicated in Fig.'23 to the position indicated in Fig.- 27;

Figs. 32 and 33, the delineaticns of the respective serrated paths described by the particles B and A, each serration representing one cycle of motion as in the case of particle C, in Fig. 31;

Fig.. 34, a fragmentary plan corresponding to the portion enclosed by broken line 34 in Fig. 2, drawn to an enlarged s cale and-showing certain details differently from-those indicated in Fig. 1; in this gure certain portions are shown broken away to reveal certain parts underneath;

Fig. 35, a vertical, longitudinal centersfectipn -corresponding to Fig. 34;

Fig. 36,`a fragmentary portion corresponding to that enclosed by the broken `line 36 in Fig. 1, drawn to an' enlarged scale and showing structural details;

Fig. 37, a vertical 31-31 in'Fig. 36;

-Fig. 38, a fragmentary, vertical, longitudinal section taken on the line section similar to a certain portion of Fig. 35, but

drawn to an enlarged sc'ale, and showing another Y 'arrangement of details, at the same time setting forth approximately the lines of activation created in the medium due to certain modifying elements placed in the paths of the induced force, Vr;

Fig..39, a diagrammatic plan of a placer dredger having aI sluice equipment in which the process of the present invention is employed; scale reduced;

.Fig. 40, a diagrammatic side elevation corresponding to the plan in Fig. 39;

Fig. 41, a diagrammatic plan of a dredger'of diierent type from the one shown in Fig. 39, but with a slulce equipment employing the process oi' the present invention; scale reduced;

Fig. 42, a' diagrammatic `side elevation corresponding to the plan in Fig. 4l;

Fig. 43, a vertical crosssection taken through f a main container in conjunction with two smaller containers, each conning separately certain mediums; the smaller containers being ailoat on the medium in the main container 'to illustrate the transformation o f certain force effects.

Fig., 44, a pian, in diagrammatic slulce equipped with hoods for varying the Afluid pressure on the surfacel of the medium;

Fig. 45, a vertical 1ong1tuaina1 section ,inciagrammatic form, taken on line -45 infFlg. 44; Fig. 46, a longitudinal vertical section taken' on line 46-48 in Fig. 16 drawn to a reduced scale;

Fig. 47, a longitudinal section taken on line 41-41 in Fig. 43, .showing a supplementaryvibratory member, and being drawn to a scale slightly reduced;

Fig. 48, a section similar to 47, but showing a supplementary vibratory member of another form; I

Fig. 4 9, a fragmentary portion, largely in diagrammaticform, of the plan, of a slulce equipped with means for imposing curvilinear circuitous paths upon particles passing through the medium inthe slulce;

Fig. 50, a diagrammatic, vertical, longitudinal section taken on the line Sli- 59 in Fig. 49;

that shown in Fig;

Fig. 51, a cross section taken on the line 5I-5I in Fig. 49;

Fig. 52, a diagrammatic, vertical, longitudinal section, of a vibratory slulce, showing a supplementary container partially submerged in the medium contained in the slulce, the supplementary container being actuated independently of l sectionshowmetals, precious stones, minerals, and the like.

. Suitably disposedbelow thebottom ofthe slulce is a plurality oi electromagnetic elements 5I with brackets 52, the latter being rigidly connected able supports, so that the magnets, which in this with the bottom of the slulce body. The sluice may be mounted on vibrators 53, or other suitexample act in the direction of the double-'pointed arrow 54, when energized, shall cause the slulce to vibrate back and forth, and at the same time, up

and down.

The axes of theA electromagnetic .motivating elements 6I, in their horizontal projections, may ordinarily lie in a longitudinally vertical plane of the slulce, but frequently it is desirable to introduce one or more transverse components into the motion of the slulce. In such cases, the axes o f one or more of the motivating elements, may be placed in such relation to the longitudinal axes of the slulce that the axes of the motivating elements shall form suitable anglesv therewith in their horizontal projections, as indicated for example, at 5|i in Fig. 1. By thus varying the line of application of the motivating power, it is of three dimensions. The value f this feature can be estimated, when itis realized that by this means, solidj-particles can be kept --in circulation through the medium for prolonged periods of time. This feature is of value where the amalgamation or dissolving of certain solid particles depends on certain considerations of time contacts.

On its interior, thesluice 50 may be provided with precious-metal saving elements ofvarious kinds. ,Among suchelements, riilles of one form form, of a or another,l constitute important typ#N although 1' under-currents, amalgam plates, mercury traps and so on, are not to be overlooked. In the present instance, the precious-metasaving elements consist largely of so-called riille pans arranged in groups 56, in each of which the individual rime pans are placed in cascading relation to one another.

The riille pan groups are so disposed that the Vproper fractional part of the material fed to the sluice, reaches and is distributed over, each group in the proper proportions, as shown Figures 1 and 2. Each individual riille pan may consist of a plurality of riiiies spaced apart from one another,

water or other liquid having approximatelythe.

level indicated at 51 in Fig. 2. The material-to be treated, is deposited in the hopper- 58, and falls `upon a plate 59, which latter may be perforated at 59-1, Fig. 34. From the plate 59, Fig. 2, the

`material is fed forward over grizzly bars 68, Fig.

l, these being suitably spaced apart from one another. In the present instance the grizzly bars in. Fig. 1, for convenience,- are shown partially breken away in order to reveal the structure underneath, it being understood, however, that the bars are continuous from the point 8l to the point 62.

Underneath the grizzly bars is a plate 53l which in plan is-progressively stepped as desired, in this instance as indicated-at 64, 65 and 51, thus forming consecutive spaces which increase progressively in width. This arrangement allows the first quarter of oncoming material to fall into the space 84, and to be deposited on, land distributed over the rst group of riille pans 55. The second quarter of the material drops onto the second group of riille pans, the third portion onto the third group, andthe last quarter on to the fourth group.

The material which is worked down over these four groups of riiile pans inally meetsand passes underneath a fifth group of riille pans, into the space 69. The material which has' passed over the riflie pans 58 will, of course', be small enough to have passed between thegriz'zly bars 58. In the meantime, the coarser material which slides over the tops thereof, is at the same time thoroughly washed by the agitation of the water above the grizzly bars, and is finally discharged vover the edge 62. After passing over the last group of riflle pans, this coarser material merges in the space 69 with the ner material that in the meantime has passed over and has been discarded by the various riiiie pans in groups 58. From thel space 69, the discarded and recombined material,

due to the vibratory force, as hereinafter explained, is transported through the portion 18 of the sluice, finally emerging from tha-level 51 of' the water body, before being dischargedirom the mouth 1| at the extreme end of the sluice.

' The area of the bottom 18, of the sluice in Fig. 2, which lies between the point Where the bottom is intersected by the surface 51 of the medium,

'I'he valuable portions of the materials fedthrough the hopper 58, are caught and retained by the various rime pans, while substantially only the gangue or waste matter, which has been discarded by passage over the rime pans, is discharged at the mouth 1I, as waste.. Any valuable portions that may be so fine as tofloat on the surface of the water, for instance, float gold, may

i be finally caught by an appliance such as a iloating amalgam plate 12, or later recovered from the liquid medium, which is conserved. y

A more detailed representation of a group of cascading rime pans is shown in Figs. 34 and .35. In these figures, the sluice 58, water level 51, grizzly bars 68, plate 53,.and so on, correspond to the various structural members in the sluice, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but the individual riille pans 13, 84 and .85, are of various kinds for different specic purposes.

The rifilesthemselves may be, and in many cases are, preferably of an undercut type, after the manner indicated at 14, and are directed, so as to modify the effectv of Vr. Fig. 35 shows an arrangement of riilles associated together in pans. Fig. 38 also shows riiile pans, but here they are associated with a deecting plate 16. by means of which the force V1 is still further modified.

Modied influences exercised by the various elements upon V: may be clearly visualized from A a careful inspection of Fig. 38. One important oilic'e of the undercut riiiles is to assist in bringing about a condition where all the solid particles are held largely in suspension during the time that the heavier particles require`to work ,their way down through the mass'and'while the lighter particles are worked clear of the .heavier particles. Minor deecting elements are shown at 15 and 11,

and some of the modilied current effects inthe medium, at 18, 19, 88 and 8l The greater part of the values are caught and retained in the riille pans, but small portions may inadvertently escape thesepans, so it is advisable to placea scavenger pan lat a point near the end of the sluice, such a one being located at 82,

Figs.' 36 and 37. The scavenger pan mayv have riiil'es 83, and be located as embraced by the roken line 35 in Fig. 1.

Reverting now, to the subject of dredgers, it may be stated that gold dredgers are usually selfcontained units with which mining4 and recovery processes are carried on simultaneously. Ordinarily, dredgers consist of lsoc a.lleddigging ladders having digging buckets, which are adapted to deliver the materials dug, at a point some' thirty to forty feet above the deck of the dredger, where it is dumped into a system of gravity sluices or gold saving tables, from which the vworthless refuse is discharged into a tailings stacker.

By means ofA this invention, the entire' dredger appurtenances can be so simplified, and the super-stx'uctureso reduced', that a large saving in initial cost, results. In the operation of'a dredger, pumping costs are greatly reduced by means of this invention, and because of the better operative conditions, that is to say, the elimination of packing of black lsand in the rimes, more .eficient gold saving is brought about.

Figs. 39 and 4o show a dredgereonstructin which is of the rigid type adapted for the practice of the present process. A sluice, 58|, using thepresent process, may be of the general type shown in Figs. 1 and 2,'beingsupportedona bridge made up of trusses 254, and having a pour' toon 255, and a hull 258. Theupper tumbler shaft of digging ladder 25| need be ,only high enough above the deck to cause the elevator At 252 is a bow gantry, andv a buckets todischarge into` a feed apron 259 which -leads into the sluice 50| The sluice can be horizontal or inclined upwardly (inclined position not shown), which latter is an adva 'e in stacking. 53 a hoisting cable leading to the lower end of the digging ladder. At 258 is a stern gantry lfrom which a tailings stacker 256 is guyed by means of a cable 251.

l In this type of dredger, guys 260 connect the pontoon to the hull.

In Figs. 41 and 42 is shown a dredger of what may be called the flexible type, having a pontoon 264, a bridge formed of trusses l262 and a hull 26|. A king pin 263, allows a certain amount.

of swinging or oscillation between the hull and the pontoon. This dredger also carries a sluice 50-2, which receives material from a feed apron 261, upon-which the elevator of a digging ladder and during its travel, the precious stones or the tin drop into the various pockets 93, 94, and 95, the rejected material or tailings being carried along the bottom 96 until finally discharged at the mouth 91. This sluice has the `electromagnetic elements 98 and '|0I, and the vibrators 99 and |02. n

By using the present process to apply paint, lacquer, or other coatings to articles of many different kinds, a continuous series of operations may be performed consecutively. Such operations may include passingthe articles through an acid bath, through a washing bath, and then drying the articles before applying the coating,

the Vr to be developed in a medium.

all these operations, being automatically performed without manual handling of the articles.

In connection with washing orpainting oper'- ations, it may be noted that peculiar and beneiicial effects are obtained by means of forces developed in a medium due to the present process.

Among these effects may be mentioned the intense rubbing or brushing which may take place between the medium and a solid, thereby eliminating air bubbleswhile the medium is brought into intimate contact with the surface or surfaces to be painted. This property 4is especially valuagl where extremely uniform .coverings are req ed.

- In laundering,ltheuinitial washing may take place in one\ compartment of a container, the clothes being'then transported through another compartmentwhere themoistu're is extracted by means of the same vibratory force that .causes traction of the moisture is due to the rapidity -with which the clothes follow a serrated path through the air, thereby shaking the moisture out of the clothes. Afterwards, the clothes may be transported into a third compartment containing clean water for rinsing, and thence into ak fourth compartment where the moisture is extractedfrom the clothes before being discharged.

In all these operations, an extremely eflcient agitation' in the washing medium may be set up,

andthe apparatus can be s o nicely adjusted to the particular object in view, that a notable improvement in results may be attained.I In this process, localized violent agitation of` themedium is brought inw Amarmellate contact with the clothes-without causing any injury to the fabrics,

such-as frequently results from arubbing contact with wood,- metal or otherfsurfaces.

The nature of the force V1 developed in 'a washing medium can be so regulated that the loosened particles of dirt, as well as soap or other washing compounds incidental to washing operations, shall be segregated in or on certain portions of the medium, ready to be skimmed or'drained 011 while the medium itself is thereby claried.

In washing dishes, detachedfood and grease particles can likewise be segregated within the medium, and then be skimmed oil! in one -mass for incineration or transported thru the medium ably disposed along the inner surface of its side walls, a track ||2. n this track, baskets ||3 or other suitable receptacles may be provided with hangers ||4 tocarry'shoes ||5 at their upper. ends, the latter being adapted to ride-along the rails I2, as shown'more in detail in Figs. 14 and 15. These baskets may have the perforated or screen side walls ||6, and end Walls ||1, and in many cases also have thev screen bottom |8, and screen top ||9. In other casesa basket |09 may be provided with a top consisting of a heavy plate ||9'-| ,\Fig, 1'?, made of glass, metal or other suitable material, in order to suppress the force V1. If desired, deiiectors |00 may be provided to direct Vf inwardly ofthe baskets I3, as indicated in Fig. A, at |00.

The washing process 'and carrying it out, as here disclosed, form the basis of my co-pendng divisional application for U. S. patent,` Serial No. 166,191, illed September 28, 1937.

The container in Figs. 5 and 6, may confine an inelastic medium |2 and on topof the inelastic medium may oat an elastic medium |24 having a specic gravity less than that of the inelastic medium |2I. The effect of, and upon, the

is described hereinafter.

In Figs. 'I and 8 is shown a suitable container |25 in which a process of flotation may be carried on. To this end, the container |25 may confine a mass of flotation pulp |26, with which one or more suitable frothing agents, when subjected to the `developed force Vf, will produce a copious froth in a zone such as |21. y y

In this instance, the notive units, instead of being symmetrically disposed with regard to the l axis: of motion of the sluice, may be placed largely to one side of the axis, as at |31, |32 and |33, so as vto exert a transverse motion-effect with regard with regard to the axesof the motive unit andA th.horizontal plane`of the container. The ota tion tailings move in the general direction of the arrow |34, while the bubbled froth containing the mineralvalues travels toward a weir or other discharge arrangement .approximately in the direction of the arrow |35. Thus the values can be' diverted throughan opening |45 into one of the the apparatus for A -`superimposed body of the lighter, elastic medium, l

launders |28. A bame may be provided at a point such as |46, to prevent froth from being carried away with the tailings.

The aeration process and machine, here disclosed, provide, in part, the basis for my co-pending application for U. S. Patent, Serial No. 166,192,

led September 28, 1937..

' In Fig. 9 is shown the fragmentary portion of a along on the rails I 40, due to the vibrations im- Through these vibra-.

parted to the container. tions at the same time is developed the'force Vf which then becomes effective to thoroughly agitate the medium' |31, portions of which pervade A the inside of the cylinder |4| through the meshes of the screen, and percolate thoroughly through l any material or objects which may be contained in the cylinder, it beingunderstood that the cylinder has a door (not shown), or other device by means of which the inside thereof can be reached.

If the apparatus is used for washing clothes, it

will become obvious as soon as the nature of theV force Vr is explained, that the various garments or other items of clothes that may be contained in the cylinder, willbe subjected to a washing of any desired intensity. On the other hand, if this washing apparatus is to be used in certain industrial operations, the medium I3'I might consist of an acid bath, while the medium |39 might vconsist of paint, and the cylinders I4I might represent any objects to be subjected to the acid bath,

the motive power input is small, the effect upon these objects being next dried while passing over the ramp |38, and finally conveyed through a paint bath in the form ,of a medium |39.

In Fig. 10, a container |60 is shown, in the lower portion Iof which may be vconfined a liquid medium |6I, while another liquid medium |62 is superimposed thereupon. 'I'his condition may occur when two liquids having different specific gravities, but both having relatively inelastic properties are placed together in the same container.

Fig. 11, illustrates a sluice I 50 which can be divided into a number of different compartments, in this instance two, which contain respectively the mediums |5I and |52, the mediums being separated from one another by an elevated portion |53-I having the ramps |53 and |53-2. Objects |54 to 51 are shown in the act of traveling through the sluice, and being exposed to different mediums successively. 'I'he action accomplished by the apparatus shown in Fig. 11 may be :somewhat different from that accomplished by the apparatus shown in Fig. 9, because Fig. 11 indicates individual objects being moved directly through a medium, while Fig. 9 indicates cages in which smaller individual objects are confined.

In Figs. 18 to 21 rare illustrated some of the motion effects observed during the actual operation of this process, it being assumed that the sluice |99, or container, is being vibrated along a line such as is represented vby the double-pointed arrow 202. The dotted line |98V indicates the lowermost position reached -by the sluice. When the medium is to cause its surface to assume a wavy 6r rippled pattern, somewhat after the manner indicated at 200m Fig..l8. Near an end wall ofthe container, which in this case is slightly sloping, there is sufficient concentration of the force Y: to overcome the surface tension'of 'thef` l medium and a slight spouting 'action takes place,v

creases as the power input is increased, and can be made to assume almost any degree of vigor, and even violence, desired. The result of such an action, if not interfered with by obstructing elements or other modifying means, asserts itself along substantially vertical lines.-

In Fig. 20 is represented the effect of a vigorous side spouting resulting from the action of the lines of force V: when locally modified by the curved undercut surface 2I4 of riiile 2I3, the latter being fastened to the bottom 2|0 of the sluice. Thel obstructing effect of this riiiie is manifested by the deflection ofthe lines of force in front of its under-cut face, which results in the spouting at 2|5 and formation of a spray.

' In Fig. 21 the action is somewhat similar to that indicated in IFig. 20, but the undercut face 2|I of the riilie 2 I6, is straight, so that the effect upon the resulting spray 2|9, is to elevate the latter instead of tending to depress it, as is the case at 2 I5 in Fig. 20.

In Fig. 20 a ball 245 is shown, near a riflie 246,

which ball, because of the peculiar action developed in the medium and/or the travel ofthe sluice, revolves, assisting in the disintegration -of materials, such as clays and the like.

Both Figs. 20 and 21 show the effects that may be achieved by means of the present invention, when efficient scrambling, mixing, or washing actionsiii localized portions of the medium aredesired. Such effects can readily be obtained by causing the normal lines of force Vf, as at 2I2 in Fig. 20, to cut transversely into or across the modified lines of force which produce the spray at 2 I 5. A similar effect, but in a slightly different degree, is represented in Fig'. 21, where the normal lines of force Vr at 2I8, cut into and across the rznodied lines of force producing the spray at Still other waysin which the force Vr can be manipulated to produce localized force effects,

may be noted by referring to Fig. 43, where a main a container 3| 0 confining a medium 3| 5`is sh`own in conjunction with two smaller containers 3I'I and 320, the latter bei-ng afloat on the medium 3|5. In these containers there are confined4 respectively, the mediums 3I9 and 322. sumed that the container 3|'I, having a relatively thin bottom 3 I8, is made of elastic or fiexiblematerial such as rubber or sheet metal, while the container 320 having a relatively thick bottom 32|, is made of non-iiexible or non-elastic material, preferably glass or the like.

When the lines of force Vr are induced or developed in the medium ofthe main container, the normal effect'of these lines of force produces a V@certain spouting eifect which results from the action of the lines'of 'force represented at 3I5. Simultaneously, within the container 3|II it is found that the lines of force Vf at 3I9, are somewhat less in their intensity than are the lines at 3I4, which latter produce the former. Thus, the

flo

effect of the flexible bottom 3|! is to weaken the intensity of the normal lines of force `V1 which may exist in the container 3N). I'he extent of this weakening effect is increased relatively, as

the elasticity of the bottom lit is decreased. On the other hand, considering the container 320, it

is found that the lines offorce Vf indicated at IIB, vowing to the inelasticity of the bottom wall nl, are substantially nunined. 'Inerefore the lines of force at BIG exert no perceptible effect at all, upon the medium'322. In practice, it is noted that the lines of force Vr below 32| are not annihilated, but are bent aside, and are caused to exert their effect around the container 32|, very much as indicated in the drawings.

In Fig. 16, the 'sluice 220 may have xed within it, a longitudinally extending channel member 226 having flanges 22|, above which may be disposed two inclined, longitudinally extending bars 224. The three members 224 and 226 may be of uniform 'thickness or the thickness may taper from maximum to minimum an example of the tapered construction'being indicated at 389 -in Fig. 48. By this means the effect of Vr between the rif' -ile pan 221 and the channel 226, and extending longitudinally through the sluice, may be gradu-y ated from substantially nothingto any certain desired maximum in accordance with'th'e explanation just given with regard to the varying effects made possible by the use of modifying elements having dierent elastic properties. Thus in the case of channel 226 and bars 224 themaximum modified effect of Vf would take place above the thin ends of the members and the least modifled effect of Vr above the thick ends thereof.

The operative eect lof the vibratory -motion in developing the force Vf is described hereinafter with particular reference to Figures 18 to sents the relative positions of a sluice at the two. extremes of a. stroke, and one position intermediate the two extremes.

-In order to have a numerical basis for reference' in this discussion, the length R of the stroke in the diagram is assumed as being about 0.070 of' an inch. In the present example it is also as-.`

sumed that an alternating electric current having a frequency of 60 cycles is used to energize the electromagnet.` -This means that there .are

120 reciprocations of the sluice in one second.

To show what eifectthe rapid reciprocation of the sluice exercises upon the'mediumv and the various material particles contained therein, one

cycle of two strokes will be stuldiedal In lstudying thev cyclic motion it may be assumed that the sluice 300 starts in each cycle from the upper extreme position in Fig. 22, and

'descends successively to the intermediate and lower extreme positions 300| and 30u-4, respectively. From the lower extreme position, the travel is suddenly reversed, and so the sluice ascends in its return stroke, to successively the intermediate position and the upper extreme position.` Thus, `in these diagrams, each 4cycle is representedA by the three positions of the sluice indieated'in Fig. 22, andY the rive positions indicated in Figs. 23 to 2'?. Fig. 23 represents the upper extreme position, Fig. 24 the intermediateV position in descending, Fig. 25 the. lower extreme position, Fig. 26 the intermediate position in ascending, and Fig. 27 the return to the upper extreme or starting position.

For convenience, -the bottom of the sluice. in Figs. 23, 24, and 25, is shown at the same level, but as a matter of fact, in order to correspond tothe diagram in Fig. 22 the horizontal axis- Y-Y in each` ofthe Figs. 23. to 27, represents actually that'same level. Since the sluice in this example, moves through 60 cycles of motion in one second, -it will require approximately 0.008 of a second for one stroke. It will be noted that as .the sluice travels thjrough its descending stroke, a certain amount of energy is stored in each minute mass or droplet of the medium, be-

cause of such descent. As before stated, the descent of the medium is suddenly interrupted when the travel of the sluice is reversedto begin the upward stroke, thus arresting the downward movement of each droplet of the medium. This tends to store in each droplet a certain amount of energy the summation ofwhich, is expressed by the symbol Vr.

In the descent of the sluice, faster than the medium would fall due to gravity alone as hereinbefore explained, there is a tendency to create a vacuum between the medium and the sluice surface upon which the medium rests, thus changing and further unbalancing the relative difference of restraint of ,the forces acting on the upper and lower surfacesl of the medium.

In other words, the resultant of alll the energy stored or tending .to be stored in the variousdroplets of ther liquid, tends to exert itself equa/ ily in all directions if it is free to do so.. If, however, this energy is not free to exert itself equally inall directions, it will follow the path of least resistance, which in the case of thel sluiceunder consideration,.is substantially straight up, be.

cause the resistance ofi the air to the expression ofthe force, is considerably less than is the resistance of the sides, ends .and bottom of the' sluice. y ff i An example of actual practice taken from 'a sluice driven mechanically, serves to deilne the force designated herein as Vr. In Athis example:

Stroke of sluices equals. inch.

Angle the line oftravel of sluice makes with the horizontal, equals-30 degrees y R. P. M.'of eccentric shaft equals 2400..

. The vertical descent of the sluice' equals in.'

x sine 30 degrees, equals 0.013 ft.

The vertical distance through which the medium Awould fall if acted upon only by gravity, equals 1/2gt2 where g (gravity) equals 32.2 and T represents time in seconds.

vSince 2400 R. P. M. of the eccentric shaft gives 2400 down-strokes to the sluice, occupying a total of 30 seconds, each down-stroke occupies y() second. Therefore, yzgt2 equals 1/2x30.2x(%0) 2, which in turn equals 0.0025 ft. i Therefore, since it is not likely that a vacuum win ever be foi-mea between the medium and the surface upon which itrests, it follows that the medium in the sluice, in the given example, due to the atmospheric pressure upon its surface, must descend approximately five times (0.013 dividedA by 0.0025) faster in an equal period of time than-it would descend if subject only to gravity.

Artificial atmospheres may be created on all or any part or parts of the surface of' the vibrating medium or mediums, if it is necessary or desirable at any time to vary the natural atmosplieric pressures. Such exigencias 'might occur in different special cases-of. separating certain materials or in particular requirements of many industrial processes.

In Figs. 44 and 45, are illustrated devices by-A means of which such variations in iiuid pressures bearing on the surface of aA medium may be brought about. In these figures is shown-an inverted, open-mouthed, lbut otherwise closed, vessel or hood 340 with the lower portions of its Pipes 341 and 348 leading into'thehoods 340 and 344, respectively, may be connected with any suitable source orsources (not shown) of uid or fluids under pressure, and be provided with suitablevalves (not shown) operative to vary or regulate the uid pressures within the hoods as `required, either during the time the medium is I faction upon the forces, takes place. The ines of I force set up in the medium maybe likened to the lines of'force which constitute a magnetic field, i

Cil

in motion or at any other time. In other words, the artificial uid pressures may be constant duringany given periods of operation or they may uctuate in any desired or required manner during such periods of operation.

The variable pressure apparatus here disclosed, forms the basis of my co-pending divisional application for U. S. patent, Serial No. 166,193, led September 28, 1937.

The exact speed of the up-and-downreciprocations resulting in the development of the force V1, is not fixed for all purposes, but varies -with different mediums and with dierent substances passing through the mediums. Experiments show that it must be at least sol fast that the medium descends through a down-stroke faster than would be its fall through the same downstroke due to gravity alone. This means that the ratio between the rate at which any medium is falling, and 1/2gt2, mst be at least greater than unity in order that the force Vf may be of practical yalue. The greater the speed of the medium' through a down-stroke with` respect to l/zgt, the greater ywill be the intensity of the force Vf thereby developed.

lZlfhe net effect of the above described manifested force within the medium is readily indicated during the operation of the sluice, by the spouting of the medium, or the tendency to spout or to produce a wave action which shows itself on the surface of the medium. It is also very apparent whenever a body foreign to the medium is placed in the same, because a lfurther local unbalancingor relative difference in `restraining and from experiments to date it is evident that these lines of force in the medium, offer resistance to deformation or change in their path, this being analogous to the `resistance to cutting offered by lines of force in a magnetic field.

In general, these lines of force, V1, materially affect the relative buoyancy nearly, but not entirely, in proportion to the effective mass of any particular particle.

Vils a further explanation ofA Vr, it may be said to represent the manifestation of the force stored, or tending to be stored in the medium, and that this manifestation 'results from thel action of such force in any local portion ofthe particular medium under consideration or on any particle or l group'of particles foreign to the medium wholly in. and/or partially in, and/or upon the medium.

It may be well to explain that the energy tending to be stored is due to the frequent arrest of the momentum developed in each droplet of the medium during its descent. The net result of the energy available which is tending to be stored,

is manifested in a direct line Vfrom the droplet along the path of least resistance, regardless o f the slopeor position of the container.

If any obstruction is placed inthe mediumso as to intercept any of the V: lines of force, then such lines of force will be bent or deflected from the vertical in strict accordance with the nature and relative position of the surface or surfaces of such obstruction, and the local expression of V: will therefore be changed and be other than 4generally vertical. l I

If a group of droplets of a substance foreign to the medium, said substance having elastic properties and being ofv such mass effect that V: tends to hold them in suspension, or when the specific gravities of the foreign droplets are such that the mass'of the medium, in effect, is the greater, andthey tend to or do float on the surface of the medium, asA indicated, for example,

in Figs. 6 and 10, or'when the droplets remain manifest itself in the deformation of all the rel- .atively elastic bodies made up of the elastic droplets. This deformation of the relatively elastic bodies tends to cause a movement .of the bodies, and this movement of the relatively elastic bodies Vand the absorption of the force transmitted to them will, unless restrained, result in the collection orgrouping of all such relatively elastic bodies. Because ofthe relatively'elasticpropere ties of each foreign droplet, and because of the fact that the forces alternate as previously indicated, the result will be a movement of each relatively elastic droplet toward another until the summation of the elastic properties of the group of elastic droplets is sucient to countebalance the force transmitted by the relatively inelastic` particles between it and the container. See Figs.

5 and 6.

I'he term "mass effect as used herein, is a `convenience for designating the net result of the action of the force of gravity upon a particle modified by the various characteristics of the partice, such as its mass, character of its surface, the vifcous properties of the medium, effect of impact withother particles,`and so on. Since every mass effect has its own particular magnitude,` another term "mass value may be used to designate such magnitude. For the purpose of this specification, the terms mass effect and mass value may .be regarded-as 4sometimes synonymous. 1

2,097,492 The various particles of matter passing through the medium can be grouped into four classifications ior the purposes of the present discussion. Matter grouped in one of such classifications may be called Pa (not indicated). This term denotes such particles` of matter where the mass eect, even when modied by Vr is so great that they tend to descend` at a greater rate than the rate of descent of the sluice on its backward and downward stroke. The mass eiect so developed and modified by Vf for particles of this class, is suiiicient to develop the `requisite friction between the particle and theV bed of the sluice or the particle immediately supporting same, that the particle will remain in position, and cut, bend and/or deform the lines of force developed in its path.

In .the latter case, since the friction is great enough to cause the action mentioned on the downward movement, it is evident that it would also'be great enough to cause a similar action on the forward and upward movement. Therefore, such a particle tends to remain, or does remain, vin the same position in the sluice with reference to the point EiFigs. 23 to 27) unless it is acted upon by particles of the other three classifications. It has been shown by experiment that the particles in the other three classifications tend to and do force theparticle PB to move forward.

In Figs. 23 to 27, the threeparticles A, B and C represent the three other classications. The larger particle A in these iigures, represents a class of particles whose mass effect when modified by Vf tends to fall through the medium with a velocity greater than the velocity of the sluice in the direction of its vertical component, during the descending portion of the cycle.

In this class the result of the mass effect of the particle A modiiied by Vf together with the downward movement of its support 300 issuch that the friction developed between particleA and its support BBQ is not suicient to causeany appreciable bending or cutting of the lines of force Vf, immediately surrounding the particles. In the instance of particle A the mass e'ect modified by Vftogether with the effect of upward movementv oi the sluice,. develops sufficient friction between the sluice and the particle during the upward portion of the cycle, to bend or cut through the lines of orc'e immediately surrounding the particle A in question.

'The operative Aresult of the conditions just set` forth, is that during the downward and backward movement of the sluice, the particle A remains xed with respect to the vertical reference axis X-X, but does not remain fixed with respect to any denite point such as E of the sluice, while during the forward and upward movement of the sluice, the particle A moves with respect to the vertical reference axis X-X, but remains relatively fixed, except as modified by contact with other particles, with respect to the point E, the

actual result being a forward movement of the particle A with respect to the sluice. o

'This means that when the sluicemoves from the position shown in Fig. 23, to the position in- Fig. 24, and then to the position in Fig. 25, that the particle A is not moved with respect to the axis X-X, but in moving from the position indicated in Fig. 25 to the position indicated onFig. '26, that particle A will have moved forward with respect to the axis X-X,` and again when the sluice moves from the position indicated in Fig.

26 to the position indicated in Fig. 27, that the particle A will have moved an additional distance with respect to axis X'X.

-Thus in one cycle, the particle .A will have moved with respect toaxis X X from the position indicated in Fig. 23 to the position indicated in Fig. 27, and this movement willof course be repeated in each succeeding cycle if the general conditions remain the same.

The particle B, shown in Figs. 23 to 27, may for the purpose of this discussion, be supposed tojbe one of relatively -greater mass eiect than the particle indicated at C.

In Fig. 23, E indicates the iixed point where the vertical axis of reference X--X intersects the bottom surface of the sluice` at the crest of a cycle, and for convenience we may designate the time at this ilxed point as I0-hour and refer lthis time to the vertical axis X-X. Then Yat 0hour plus 0.004 of a second, the sluice will have -descended below the horizontal axis' Y-Y the vertical distance shown in Fig. 24, while the point E in the identicalperiod of time, will have moved backward with reference to the vertical axis, thel Vf, descend in a general vertical direction, thereA being not any irietion developed between them and the sluiceto bend or cut the lines of force in the immediate vicinity oi the particle. Since the mass edect oi the particle B has been assumed uring the backward and downward to be greater than the mass edect oi the particle C, the distance that the particle B will have traveled in the corresponding increment of time will be a distance greater than that traveled by the particle-C.

tion between it and its support is not able to bend, or pass through, the lines of force represented by Vf, and therefore it will have descended vertically, that is to say, parallel to vertical axis X-X. At 0hour plus 0.008 of a second, the sluice will have reached thelowest point of its'cycle, and the point E will have traveled the maximum distance backward. During this interval of time, the twoparticles B and C will have descended to fthe points indicated in Fig. 25, while the particle B being of greater mass eect, will have fallen throughthe medium faster than the particle C which is of less mass eect, but each of the three particles is still in -thesame position with reference to the vertical axis X-X.

At 0-hour plus 0.008 of a second' plus an incr ent of time, the sluice will have been started on its upward and forward movement so that the friction between particle A and the sluice becomes great enough to cause the particle A Yduring theupward and forward movement of the sluice ,to cut the lines of the force Vf, and so it rides forward and -upward with the sluice.

At 0-hour plus 0.012 of a second, the plane of the sluice will have reached the position indicated i`n Fig. 26. In the meantime, the particle A will have traveled forwardsubstantially the forward since the beginning of the upward and 45 The particle A because of the insuicient fricforward stroke of the sluice, due to the fact that,

at the lowermost point of the cycle, the inner bottom surface of the sluice will have intercepted its descent and will have changed the frictionaladhesion between particle A and its support.

Next, the sluice will here come in contact withl and interfere with the descent of Aparticle B, and' The particle C is intercepted a little later by the forward and upward movement of the sluice,

and it is then carried forward similarly to particle B.

At 0-hour plus 0.016 of a second, as indicated in Fig. 27, the sluice will have completed one cycle of its operation, and will have carriedforward the particles A, B and C to the relative positions indicated. .The point E located on the vertical line of axis X-X at the crest ofthe cycle and being the Vpoint at which all three particles were in contact with the inner bottom surface of the sluice at the beginning of the cycle,` has now returned to its original position on the vertical reference axis X-X, and all the particles have moved forward in accordance with their relative mass effects modiied by the forcel Vf' and the other factors hereinbefore mentioned.

At this point it is well to note that as the material particles move forward through the me dium, they tend to segregate themselves accord-I ing to their mass effect modified by Vf.

It in their forward movement the particles are brought into contact withl certain obstructions lying-in their path of travel and which arrest their' normal movement, these particles 'having greater mass value when acted upon by V: will. when in front of such obstruction or during their travel, tend to displace particles of lesser mass value.

The boring or digging in of the heavierparticles, andthe crowding out thereby of the lighter particles, is illustrated in Figs. 28, 29, and

30, this being observed in the actual operation of the present process. In Fig. 29 three particles are shown, one of relatively high .specific gravity or mass value, and two of a -lesser specific gravity or lesser mass value. These might even be takenk to be the same three particles A, B and C acting under different conditions from the conditions indicated in the previous figures.

Atthe moment ending the upward and for.

ward stroke oi' the sluice, that is to say, at O-hour plus 0.016 of a second minus a differential increment of time, the forces acting upon the three particles are the mass effect of each of them modified by Vx, with the further modification due to the position of the particles and the upward and forward movement of the sluice, all of which modify the mass effect.

Fig. 28 illustrates theconditions at the 0-hour plus 0.016 of a second. At this instant a cycle of motion has been completed and another start- 'ed, so mass effect acting upon such, particle lis modified by Vf and their relative positions. 'I'he net force acting/to separate the three 'particles is different however since the mass eflfectv of the heavier -particle A.| at this instant has a tendency to cause it to fall and descend at` a greater rate than the two lighter particles, and this relative mass effect is being fmodiiled by the forces Yr; together with a force resulting from the position of the particle which 'tends' to make a greaterdiiferential between it and the two lighterlpars Y s A tive masses when not modified. At 0-hour plus 0.016 of a second plus an increment of time, the sluice is receding with respect to the three particles, as indicated by the arrow 326 in Fig. 30. supposing now that the support 300-3 has been removed the three particles are then descending through the medium, each according to its mass eifect modied by the force Vf and the forces resulting from their position at 0-hour plus 0.016 of a second.

The vertical paths along which particles of different physical characteristics are caused to trave1 by means of the force induced in the medium, are illustrated in Figs. 3l, 32 and 33.

In Fig. 31 is shown the path traversed-by the particle C, this particle being of low specific gravity, where the time of contact pressure between the particle and the sluice plane is not very great, the advance of the particle in the direction of transportation, is rather small, as indicated by the inclined portion 330 of the path.

'Ihe vertical portion 33| of the path is also rather parti- In Fig. 33, the path represented is that of particle A. Here'the increase in the time of contact pressure between the particle and the sluiceA on the upward and forward stroke, is greater than itis in the case of particles B or C and practically one-half the. cycle. {Therefore the advance of the particle in each cyclewill be substantially equal to the stroke of the sluice, this being'represented by the inclined lines 334 while the vertical lines 335 indicate a very rapid rate of settling.

From the foregoing, it will be clear that when material particles are placed in the medium,

these material particles are elevated in various degrees depending upon the time of their contact pressure upon the supporting plane of the sluice and on the sudden withdrawal of the support of -this plane at the highest point of forward travel of the particles, whereby the particles are allowed'to descend through the medium against its natural buoyancycombined with the upwardly directed force of 'the droplets of the medium, due

tothe sudden reversals in fall of the liquid as previously stated.'

While the ideal condition for operation of Amy process occurs where the water or other liquid is conserved to a maximum degree, yet where there is an abundance of water, or where the material that is treated, is accompanied by a certain amount of water, this too can be advan-l tageously handledX by means of my process. In such a case a confined or segregated body of water is still maintained, While the excess water which may accompany the material, enters the I' segregated body and a substantially'equivalent a mount is allowed to overiiow or be discharged, 'withoutin'any way interfering with the principles upon which the practice of this process depends.

It is obvious that the forcesbrought into action in my process, when developed in the medium, have the tendency to clarify the medium. Where' fuller discussion thereof at this pointseems warrented, as being at the foundation of the separative eects of myprocess.

Following now, the paths traversed by the three particles hereinbefore referred to as A, B and C -it will be observed that the motion of any particle is dependent upon the length of time that it rides with the sluice during the upward stroke oi its cycle of motion, and the length of time that the particle occupies in descending through the medlum under the inuence of gravity between rides with the container.

To begin with, all the particles may be supposed to be riding with the sluice through the upward portion of a cycle of sluice motion. At the end of the upward stroke, the sluice which in its upward travel has been supporting the particles, suddenly drops away and leaves the particles free to descend through the medium under the inuence of the force of gravity. At the same time however, the fall of the particles is resisted by the medium, and/or by the eiect of repeatedly interfering with the fail of eachdropiet of the medium. The important thing to cbserve is that each serration deiining the path ci a particle, represents a number of dlnerent factors influencing. its movement. in the rst piace, each serration is in the shape of approximately a right angie triangle, of which the hypotenuse coincides with the line of action of the motive force as applied to the sluice. They altitude of this triangle represents the path 'of a particle falling through the medium, due to the action of gravity upon that particle during the interval of time between' the points where the sluice drops away from .the particle and where it again picks the particle up. The actual length of the altitude is determined by the physical characteristics oi the particle because these regulate the velocity of the falling particle. The

diierence between the time length ci a cycle ci` motion and the falling time determines the length of time that that particle remains in contact with the ascending sluice. As a result, it is clear that each individual particle will have a characteristic serrated path of travel. This may be clearly seen by comparing with one another,

the serrated paths represented in the three Fig-.

ures 3l, 32 and 33. Assuming for instance, that .A hypotenuse 336, Fig. 33, represents inndirection and magnitude, one stroke of the sluice traveling in the line of action of the applied motive power, also let -this hypotenuse represent the complete upward travel of one special solid particle, then the altitude 33 5 wlllrepresent the length of time that it takes that special particle to drop from the vertex of the triangle toits base, and this will be equalto one-half the time necessary for the S sluice to pass through one complete cycle oi motion.

. Thissmay be clearly seen -byV comparing with.

one another the serrated paths represented in the three Figures 31 32 and 33, 'ihese paths have 1 1 herelbefore been described in connection with the particles A, B and C respectively.

Each one of these serrated paths is made up oian indeiinite number of righttrlangles,.and in tracing out what actually happens to the various particles as they move through the medium, it is convenient to refer to these diagrams.

Assuming that hypotenuse 334, Fig. 33, represents in direction and magnitude one stroke of the slulce traveling the line of action of applied complete upward travel stroke of particle A, then the altitude 335 will represent the length oi time that it takes the particle A to drop from the ver- Fig. 32 represents the distance that the particle E falls through the -medlum from-the time that the sluice drops away from lt at the vertex, until the sluice again intercepts the particle.

The mass value oi the particle C is less than particle B so itsv vertical fall through the medium between the time that the sluice drops away from it at the vertex of the triangle, and again intercepts the particle may be represented by the altitude 33| inFlg. 3 1. 1n each instance oi the three particles', the length of the hypotenuse of the corresponding right triangle represents the relative length of the time that a particle is riding with the sluice.

In comparing the transportation characteristice ci the three special particles it is to be noted that the length of a hypotenuse plus an altitude motive power, and also that it represents one.

particle A in one time cycle in exactly the same time cycle particle Bwlll have traversed in actual linear magnitude the distance 332 `plus 333, and

nally particle C in that same cyclic period of time will have traversed a linear distance equal to the hyptenuse 338 plus altitude tti.

Looking at this result in another way, the hypo-` tenuse 336 represents the time spent by particle A in its upward ride in contact either with the bottom of the container or vwith other material upon which it may beresting, while the altitude 335 represents the time in which this same particle is descending through the medium before it isagain picked up-by lts sluice support. During this same period of time particle B will spend that portion of a time cycle in riding on the sluice or other support that is represented by a hypotenuse 332,lv and then l't will spend that portion of a time cycle represented by 333 in descending from the point where itis left by the sluice support until -lt is again picked up by it, and finally particle C will spend that portion of a time cycle in riding the sluice or sluice support that is represented by the hypotenuse 330. and it wlllspend that portion of a time cycle in descending between sluice contacts, that is represented by the altitude 331. From this it will be'understood that each serratlon in each of the Figures 31, 32 and 33 represents a complete time cycle, and that any point of time intervals at any of these serratlons ln Fig.

31 are equal to any serrations in Fig. 32 or Fig. 33, but it will be noticed that the mass effects of the respective particles play a very important part in 'ust what the respective distances of travel in each time cycle shall be. M

It will be remembered that for the purpose of present discussion the angle that each hypotenuse 330, 332

and 334 makes with its respective base is degrees so that the included angle at the vertex of each triangle is 70 degrees. By super' imposing serrations from leach of the Figs. 3.1,- 32 and 3,3 upon one another soA that their vertices and the respective sides coincide with one another the various points of pick-up of the different particles by` the` sluice canbe readily compared.

Various facts .concerning the relative move.- ments of the three representative particles may now be ascertained. Among these facts may be mentioned that unless the angle which any hypotenuse makes with its base is greater than zero,

that there will be no selective motion which is based upon the principles just enimciated, because there will be no verticalcomponent. Similarly the angle between any hypotenuse and its altitude must be greater than zero in order to have translation. Unless there is translation there will be no transportation, and unless there is a vertical component there can be no selective action based on classification as determined by the characteristic rates of settling of solid particles in a medium in accordance with the principles well understood in the science of ore dressing.

In deciding upon certain desired separation effects, these can be predetermined by varying the force components, and also byvvarying the densi ty of the medium. Variations in'the density of Y ydensifying substance could be added to the medium gradually, and the eifects observed, until the 'desired result is reached.

In any` event, changing the density would cause the serrated diagrams in the instance of Figs.

v3'1, 32 and 33, other things being equal, to be varied relative to the particular density of the me-A n dium selected. Such predetermination of certain desired effects can also be obtained by applying the various modifying elements as illustrated in Figs. 15A, 16, 17, '20, 21,38 and 43, as well as by superimposing liquids of various densities or of various relative elasticities upon one another, as illustrated, for instance, ineFig's. 5, 6

and 10.

'Ihe general direction of transportation of materlal in the sluices, shown in the present instance,

is from left to right, it being understood, of course. that in the case of the sluicesshownin Figs. 4;, 6, 8, 9, 10 andll, are supposed'to be equipped wit vibratory motivator units, similar to/those illustrated at Il in Fig. 2, but which for convenience have been omitted in these figures.

' The spouting action, illustrated in Figs. 20 :and 21, is the result oi interference with some ofthe lines` of-force V1 without'reg'ard to the directionV of transportation, which might at the same time lie-imposed upon particles passing-through a per..

ticular sluice. The direction of the spouting might be as shown regardless of whether the particles in the respective sluices are traveling toward the right or toward the left. Such spouting merely adds another eil'ective separating factor to those already mentioned, since the washing of the sprays developed tends to wash obpects such as pebbles or boulders free from any adhering clay or silt and locally change their relative buoyancy.

With respect to containers such as II3 in Figs. 4 and 15, which travel on therails it may be noted that the transportative e'ect de- IIZ, Fig. 4,l

veloped, due to the horizontal component of the `motive power, results in pinching the containers along the rails in the saine` general way that it' would cause small particles to be transported through the medium I" or |01. In the instanceoi' the container hownin Fig. 9, the cylinder Ml would roll along the bottom surface of the sluice, due to the transportative component oi' the motive force, while the basket |43 would be obviously pinched along the bottom sluice surface.

In the instanceoi' the flotation sluice, illustrated in Figs. 'l and 8, it will readily be seen that the transportative component of any motive force' would cause the pulp to be moved from the inletv |29, towards the discharge end of the sluice,.and

after the values have been abstracted the tailings'would continue'through and over the discharge end, while. at the same time a certain amount 'of -operative liquid to serve as a medium,

together' with reagents, -would be admitted through the' pipe |30. I

WhileI prefer generally to carry my Present invention into practice by means of a sluice orv I container in which a mediumis conned, and to drive the sluice by means of an exterior motivator unit, yet at times it may be desirable to apply the vibratory force in somewhat differentV manner.

tory unit (not shown) may be attached to the channel 226 direct, somewhat after the manner shown in connection with the element 365 in Fig.

52, it being understood, of course, that the line oi' action of the vibratory unit is disposed in the proper angular relation to the channel, so -that For instance, referring to .'illgs.4 16 and 46, the channel 226 may be suspended freely within the vmedium confined in container 220, and the vibrathe channel shall be vibrated back and forth, and

up and down. Simultaneously, a local Vx and a transportative component are thereby developed within the medium, while container 220 itself `remains substantially without motion. Along similar lines the container 3N in Fig. 43, need not itself be provided with the vibratory unit, but a vibratory unit can be attached directly to either or both the containers 3H and 320, as shown in Fig. 53 so that Vr and the transportative component are manifested within these smallercontainers, without necessarily Amanifesting either Vx or the transportative component in the medium conilned in the container 3| I. e Rime pans or suitable elements each with its individual vibratory unit (not shown) may be arranged in a cascading relation similar to that existing in the case oi' rime pans Il, Il and 'Il in Fig. 35.

'Ihe configurations of any curvilinear paths described by the particles'. do not form smoothcurves, but coi'islst of minute serrations similar to those illustrated 'in Figs. '31, 32 and 33. However', theY broken line 351 indicates thedirectional course'of the. center line ofa path. In predeterminingcertainpaths of travel for 

